corporate officers

Corporate officers are the individuals responsible for managing a corporation’s daily operations. They are appointed by the board of directors. The number and specific roles of officers vary depending on state law and the corporation’s articles of incorporation, but commonly include a president or chair, a vice president, a treasurer, and a secretary.

Corporate officers have legal duties and obligations to the corporation, which may be defined by state or federal statutes, case law, and governing documents (e.g., bylaws). They are generally considered fiduciaries and owe three primary duties: the duty of care, the duty of loyalty, and the duty of good faith.

See e.g.; Perry Ex Rel. Perry v. Frederick Inv. Corp., 509 F. Supp. 2d 11 (D.D.C. 2007), Lloyd v. Moore 115 A.D.3d 1309 (2014)

[Last reviewed in August of 2025 by the Wex Definitions Team]

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